Introduction

"Why have you all come over?"

The area for the fourth round of assessments was an open space where Zhao Wuji had moved a chair to take a nap.

With four rounds of exams, each of the four teachers had their own duties, and only Flender had given himself a comfortable day off.

"The rules set by that guy Flender state that those above level twenty-five can come directly to your assessment, but what about the Soul Grandmaster?" Li Yusong asked.

"A Soul Grandmaster?" Zhao Wuji perked up, rising from his chair.

"Which one of them? Hey, how come two more have arrived?"

Not far away, Oscar had also been pressed into service. Dai Mubai, who was originally responsible for guiding candidates and the fourth assessment, had to oversee the second round, so he had handed the job of guide to Oscar, who was currently buying grilled sausages.

Oscar led Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing with his chest puffed out, but when he saw Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu, he straightened his back even further, naturally ignoring Tang San.

"Are there so many little monsters this year?" Lu Qibin, who was originally responsible for testing soul power, had never expected such a situation.

He had been the one testing soul power for years, and Dai Mubai, who had been level twenty-five when he applied, was considered a one-in-a-million talent. Now, there were five of them; he couldn't help but be astonished.

"Are you all above level twenty-five as well?" Zhao Wuji asked bluntly.

"I'm level twenty-six," Ning Rongrong said generously.

"I'm level twenty-seven," Zhu Zhuqing replied.

Zhao Wuji stroked his chin. "A Soul Grandmaster naturally doesn't need an assessment. As for the rest of you, I'll handle your testing."

"These three little ones couldn't all be Soul Grandmasters, could they?"

"You're assessing them? You're so rough around the edges. I'll have Mubai take over my shift, and I'll conduct the assessment in his place," Lu Qibin said, frowning.

"Old Lu, that's where you're wrong. I'm more resistant to a beating."

"My Star Luo Chess is more convenient."

"I'm a Defense-type Spirit Master, after all." Zhao Wuji wasn't entirely making things up.

"Enough, I'm the Vice Dean! Besides, I have to show off the strength of our Shrek Academy, don't I?" He winked at Lu Qibin.

Lu Qibin treated the first half of Zhao Wuji's words as nonsense, but the latter part about showing off their strength made some sense.

Having a Spirit Saint step in would give that little Soul Grandmaster student more confidence in Shrek Academy; that stingy guy Flender really did a poor job with the academy's image.

Seeing that Lu Qibin had nothing more to say, Zhao Wuji looked at the others.

"I'll give you one stick of incense to prepare. My test is simple: if you can hold out against me for the duration of one stick of incense, you pass. I'll tell you in advance, my test isn't easy, so you'd best coordinate and work together."

"Can I participate? I want to fight alongside Jiu," Xiao Wu raised her hand.

"So you're that Soul Grandmaster? Of course you can!" Zhao Wuji tried to make a kind expression, but the thick flesh on his face wouldn't cooperate, making his expression look rather strange.

A twelve-year-old at level thirty-plus—this was a super treasure for their Shrek Academy.

Zhao Wuji lit a stick of incense and then pulled Li Yusong and Lu Qibin aside to chat.

Although they talked big about how strict the assessment was, all three teachers knew in their hearts that the admission of these little ones was a done deal.

If you were over level twenty-five at twelve years old, they would accept you even if your spirit was Blue Silver Grass; there was no such thing as failing the assessment.

Doing it this way was partly because Zhao Wuji wanted to have some fun, and partly to cultivate a sense of tacit understanding among these little monsters early on.

Having the experience of fighting side-by-side against a strong enemy would make them get along better later, and their friendship would form faster.

Furthermore, it was to demonstrate the strength of their academy; they had to leave them speechless regarding their faculty, as their other conditions were truly nothing to brag about.

Over on Jiang Jiu's side, the young people gathered together.

Oscar wished he had an extra pair of eyes; there were so many new junior sisters that he was dazzled.

Not only their appearance and figures, but their temperaments were also distinct.

Cold, lively, gentle, mature...

No, he had to shave his beard when he got back.

But before that, he could establish an image for himself.

Oscar had a plan in mind; he intended to attract the others' attention, perhaps by acting as a reliable senior and giving them the lowdown on Teacher Zhao.

However, while he was lost in his thoughts, Jiang Jiu had already taken the lead in introducing himself.

"My name is Jiang Jiu, Spirit is Soft Bone Rabbit, a level thirty Power Attack-type Battle Spirit Master."

"My name is Xiao Wu, my Spirit is the same as Jiu's, and I'm currently level thirty-four." Xiao Wu leaned softly against Jiang Jiu as if she had no bones.

"How much?" Ning Rongrong's gentle, ladylike facade crumbled, and she was shocked.

If she had said level thirty-one, Ning Rongrong could have accepted it.

She herself had innate soul power of level nine, and even though she was exceptionally lazy, she was still level twenty-six.

If someone had innate level ten soul power and was diligent in their cultivation, becoming a Soul Grandmaster at twelve was reasonable.

But what the hell was level thirty-four?!

Zhu Zhuqing's cold face was no longer calm either; her eyes were wide open, and instead of looking like an iceberg, she looked a bit dazed and cute.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Oscar was startled out of his reverie by Ning Rongrong's voice.

"Uncle, it has nothing to do with you; I was just surprised by everyone else's soul power. By the way, why haven't you left yet?" Ning Rongrong's composure cracked slightly, the essence of her lawless nature beginning to show.

"Uncle?" Oscar froze in place.

Except for Jiang Jiu, everyone else assumed Oscar was just a member of the academy staff, and they quickly turned their attention back to their own small group.

Tang San began his self-introduction.

"Tang San, tool spirit Blue Silver Grass, level thirty control-system battle soul master."

With Xiao Wu's impressive display preceding him, Tang San's level thirty Blue Silver Grass, while strange, failed to elicit much of a reaction from Zhu Zhuqing or Ning Rongrong.

"Your soul power levels are all so high." Ning Rongrong first exclaimed in admiration, then confidently announced her own martial soul.

If the soul power isn't enough, the martial soul will make up for it.

"Ning Rongrong, tool spirit Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, level twenty-six auxiliary-system tool soul master."

As expected, the effect was outstanding; she captured everyone's attention.

Hmph, so what if my soul power is a bit lower? The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda is powerful.

"You're from the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect?" Oscar had just recovered from his shock, only to hear such explosive news. His eyes lit up as he looked at Ning Rongrong.

This was a proper wealthy powerhouse—major bonus points!

Yet, Ning Rongrong ignored him completely, showing no intention of acknowledging Oscar at all.

She stuck her tongue out at Jiang Jiu and the others. "I snuck out from home. My soul skills can enhance your speed and strength; I hope we can work together to overcome the difficulties ahead."